Fundamentals

Sodexo is the community of its clients, consumers, employees and shareholders. We recognize that the best way to respond to the expectations of all of our stakeholders is through steady growth. We also believe it is important that our work is meaningful to all who contribute to it and thus we remain faithful to our mission, our core values and the ethical principles that have guided us since 1966.

Pierre Bellon founds Sodexho, a company specializing in providing Foodservices to institutions, businesses, schools and hospitals, in Marseilles (France).

1967

CNES, in French Guiana, awards Sodexho a contract in the “multiservices” market, signaling its entry into the remote site management business.

1971

International expansion starts with Belgium, Italy and Spain, with developments in Africa and the Middle East. A new business (Service Vouchers) is launched in Belgium.

1983

Initial public offering of Sodexho shares on the Paris Stock Exchange.

1985

Sodexho establishes operations in North and South America, Japan, Russia and South Africa, and reinforces its presence in Continental Europe.

1995

Acquisitions of Gardner Merchant in the United Kingdom and Partena in Sweden, the then leaders in Foodservices in their respective countries.

45 years of continuous growth

Founded by Pierre Bellon in 1966, Sodexo developed from a small family business in Marseilles, France into the worldwide leader in quality of daily life services in four decades. The recipe for our success is well known: our focus on organic growth, our client-centered approach and a unique company culture shared by all our employees.